Overview & Reviews

Owned by General Motors, Cadillac is America's most prestigious domestic luxury automaker. For most of its existence, the company was known exclusively for its cushy, senior-friendly sedans, but in more recent years the automaker has revised and expanded its lineup in a successful effort to attract a new, younger generation. Cadillac's roster now includes SUVs (its Escalade is a favorite of both rappers and suburban moms), a crossover and even a high-performance wagon.

Born in 1902, Cadillac was founded by Henry Martyn Leland, a manufacturer of automotive components. He named the company after a noted French explorer who discovered Detroit in the early 1700s. Leland helped create one of the company's earliest offerings -- the Cadillac Osceola, noted for being the industry's first concept car and the first closed-body car made in America. Only one Osceola was made, but it helped spark a trend; closed bodies caught on and spread like wildfire through the industry.

Cadillac quickly gained a reputation for specializing in precise craftsmanship and for using standardized parts. The success of early Cadillacs like the Model A and the "30" made the brand a sales success, so much so that the automaker was purchased by General Motors in 1909. The marque became GM's luxury division, and its list of innovations grew. Cadillac was the first U.S. auto manufacturer to produce a V8, the first to use thermostatic control of a cooling system and the first to offer dash-controlled headlights. During the 1930s, the brand earned a strong reputation for producing powerful and smooth V12 and V16 engines.

Soon after World War II, Cadillac history hit a high point as its tailfinned and chrome-laden cars became the epitome of American postwar automotive style. Cadillac's tailfin took its cue from Lockheed's P38 Lightning Aircraft, and was the brainchild of designer Frank Hershey. Vehicles like the Coupe de Ville and Fleetwood El Dorado made Cadillac a staple in upscale neighborhoods and among the Hollywood set.

By the 1960s, Cadillac's flashy tailfins had given way to a new styling cue: vertical taillights. This attribute was in evidence on one of Cadillac's most successful new cars of that decade, the Fleetwood Sixty Special. The Fleetwood offered luxury features that were cutting-edge for its day, such as fold-down writing tables, footrests and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.

The gas crunch of the 1970s, however, started a downward trend for the company. Cadillac's Titanic-sized behemoths that ruled the highways in previous decades were increasingly out of touch and out of favor. Cadillac responded to the changing times by downscaling the dimensions of many vehicles in its lineup. Despite this smart maneuvering, the automaker's fortunes suffered in the late '70s when it unveiled a diesel engine that quickly earned a reputation for spotty performance.

The 1980s saw the redesign of the Seville, a vehicle whose unique bustle-back styling sparked a trend and inspired its share of imitators. That decade also witnessed the rollout of the Cimarron, a small car that was essentially a rebadged Chevy Cavalier, the latter an economy car not exactly known for excellence. Understandably, the Cimarron never caught on with the public. Things got worse when Cadillac launched a series of underpowered, unreliable V8s during the first half of that decade that, along with the notoriously unreliable diesel, cost the automaker thousands of customers, millions of dollars and immeasurable damage to its reputation.

By the early '90s, Cadillac started a major turnaround as it brought out redesigned, stylish models with vastly improved engines. Shortly after the new millennium bowed, the company adopted its "Art & Science" design philosophy. With styling cues that included sharp, almost severe lines and stacked headlamps, Art & Science was first seen on Cadillac's 1999 Evoq concept roadster. By the mid-2000s, this bold new look had reinvigorated the company's sales, and was seen on hits such as the Escalade SUV and the CTS sport sedan.

This fresh styling, coupled with improvements in performance and overall product quality, has done a great deal to help Cadillac recover much of its previous status. Today's Cadillacs, which include coupes, sedans, crossovers and SUVs, are known for offering powerful engines, chiseled lines, sharp handling and a full accoutrement of luxury features.

User Reviews:

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  Real Claasy! - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Manny - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Feels very safe driving this car, it just turns heads everywhere l go! Beautiful luxury, l couldnt have asked for something better, good job guys.

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  Comfortable and easy-going - 1991 Cadillac Deville
  By Haley - October 16 - 2:00 am

  i bought my DeVille from a private seller on October 15, 2010. I am 20 years old and needed a car to get me by from point A to point B. The DeVille did better than that. I am very fortunate to have found a comfortable car and one that is fuel efficient. All my friends are amazed at how smooth it runs and steers. I am very satisfied!

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  New Caddy Owner...and Luvin It - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By CodyC - October 16 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Caddy, but I absolutely love driving this. I previously owned a Chrysler Concorde LXi...loved that car. But, I could end up loving this Caddy more. Large trunk is what attracted me, but I took this one for a test drive and WOW. THE MOST comfortable ride I have ever had. It comes with every gadget: Nav, DVD, XM, BOSE sound, dual AC/Heat controls, separate rear temp control, front/rear parking sensors, rain-sense wipers, V8 performance, good hwy gas mileage, exception lighting features, soft leather seats. Luvin It.

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  Not a lot of fun these days - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Ken Fowler - October 13 - 2:00 am

  I have NOT had any air conditioning for the past 2+ years, line rusted and unit stopped, cant afford a new unit,Black car, 2010 and NO AIR. Today I stopped for groceries, while pulling into the parking lot my tranny line broke off the radiator. will cost $950.00 to repair, lines were rusted out. Now I see were there is a RECALL on the brakes lines? what about the other lines?

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  My last GM - 2008 Cadillac SRX
  By Joe - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Took over the lease at 20K and had way too many trips to the dealer. 2 sets of rear breaks, 1 set of front, sunroof too many time to mention. engine light for no reason, and timing chain twice, also road noise on the highway was ridiculous. For a car of this level this is totally unacceptable. I have always owned GMs but I think this might be my last, I think I will check out the Lincolns or Acura.

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  Money pit - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By sweymer - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used in 2007 and I really loved it until while I was driving the car would shut off. It was so quiet that you didnt know until you went to make a turn and the wheel would be locked. That cost a lot. It was a sensor. They dont tell you how expensive the parts are. The car will run great and I love how I can pick up and move on the road. I dont like that every other week I have this car in the shop and people are ripping me off on parts.

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  GREAT car, when it runs** - 1999 Cadillac Eldorado
  By jason91notch - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I loved this car very much, and it was a blast to drive. the problem is, before 60,000 miles it needed an engine, and a transmission 10k later. I babied this car, followed the owners manual maintenance religiously, yet it was issue after issue. replaced the engine, transmission, alternator 3 times, ECM twice, and shocks, all before 70,000 miles. Also, thank GOD I had an aftermarket warranty, because the engine cost over $10,000 to replace, and the transmission cost 4,000$.

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  Why I Like To Go Out In Style - 2011 Cadillac STS
  By johnpaulgetty - October 7 - 2:00 am

  The Caddy, STS, is such a remarkable driving machine that I had to lease me one because I like to go out in style! It not only is an eye catcher it is also eye candy to me! I always wished to own a Caddy but the lease option works for me. These cars are performance driven and I like the 6 cylinder engine. The white diamond paint is to die for!

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  Poor Build Quality - 2010 Cadillac DTS
  By Bob - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the DTS for 3 months now. I love everything about it except the build quality. Ride is spectacular. Interior build is just good. Inside window molding is lose and has a gap where you can see the edge of the window. The outside is where the build quality looks bad. Trim on doors does not line up. Doors themselves do not line up. Doors either hang higher or lower than the front or rear doors. Trim inside the trunk fell off as it was never snapped on. Transmission leak at 1000 miles (Bolts had to be sealed). GM just doesnt care about the DTS as they are doing away with it. Well guess what. Im doing away with GM. Cadillac is NOT the standard of the world as they claim.

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  Would buy again - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Steve - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car almost 3 years ago in Dec. 2007, and I love it. It was a certified car with the 6 yr 100,000 mile warranty, and I was glad I got it - In the first year, the passenger air bag sensor went out & the sunroof switch failed. In the second year, the car was run low on oil and there was no dash light to indicate this. I was given a new engine for free under warranty at 65,000 miles. I havent had any problems in the past 18 months. Despite these issues, I really love the car. All of the repairs were free under warranty, so that didnt bother me much. The car handles great, has lots of power, is very comfortable, and with my fully optioned car, is really luxurious.